Malfunction shuts down boiler at Hilo Medical Center

HILO, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) - One of the two boilers at Hilo Medical Center was shut down Friday after it malfunctioned during routine maintenance.

According to a statement from the medical center, the boiler released pressurized steam and was immediately shut down at about 4:20 p.m. No one was injured.

Hospital officials said the 24-year-old boiler is in a maintenance building on the HMC campus, and is not part of the main hospital structure.

Hilo Medical Center is currently running on steam generated by a second boiler, which is enough to maintain sterilization services.

"HMC has continued to operate with a boiler that is somewhat antiquated, given that it is 24 years old and has been in continuous service for nearly a quarter of a century," said Howard Ainsley, CEO of East Hawaii Region of HHSC, which operates HMC.

The hospital is investigating the cause of the malfunction.